ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.09 | Mar 9 2016

SOX2 O-GlcNAcylation Alters Its Protein-Protein Interactions and Genomic Occupancy to Modulate Gene Expression in Pluripotent Cells
Investigators showed SOX2 is O-GlcNAc modified in its transactivation domain during reprogramming and in mouse embryonic stem cells. [eLife] Abstract | Download Full Article

YAP Induces Human Naive Pluripotency
Researchers report that the Hippo pathway effector YAP is nuclearly localized in the inner cell mass of human blastocysts. Overexpression of YAP in human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) promoted the generation of naive PSCs. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

A Systematic Method to Identify Modulation of Transcriptional Regulation via Chromatin Activity Reveals Regulatory Network during mESC Differentiation
Investigators applied modulation of transcriptional regulation via chromatin activity to systematically explore the interplay of chromatin regulators, TFs, and target genes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). [Sci Rep] Full Article

Insulin Resistance in Human iPS Cells Reduces Mitochondrial Size and Function
To define the cause-effect relationship between insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction, the authors compared mitochondrial metabolism in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from five healthy individuals and four patients with genetic insulin resistance due to insulin receptor mutations. Insulin-resistant iPSCs had increased mitochondrial number and decreased mitochondrial size. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Naive Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived Directly from Isolated Cells of the Human Inner Cell Mass
The authors showed that in these specific conditions individual inner cell mass cells grow into colonies that may then be expanded over multiple passages while retaining a diploid karyotype and naive properties. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

A Serial shRNA Screen for Roadblocks to Reprogramming Identifies the Protein Modifier SUMO2
Researchers performed an unbiased serial shRNA enrichment screen to identify potent repressors of somatic cell reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This effort uncovered the protein modifier SUMO2 as one of the strongest roadblocks to iPSC formation. [Stem Cell Reports]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Donor Dependent Variations in Hematopoietic Differentiation among Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines
Investigators compared hematopoietic differentiation potentials from embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines originated from various donors and derived them using integrative and non-integrative vectors. Significant differences in differentiation toward hematopoietic lineage were observed among ES and iPS cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Multiple Mechanisms Determine the Sensitivity of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to the Inducible Caspase-9 Safety Switch
Researchers found that inducible caspase-9 (iC9)-resistant induced pluripotent stem cells have significant heterogeneity in terms of their escape mechanisms from caspase-dependent apoptosis including reduced expression of iC9 by promoter silencing and overexpression of BCL2. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Full Article

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CPI and Cobra Biologics Announce Collaboration to Advance the Development of Regenerative Medicines
Cobra Biologics Ltd and the Center for Process Innovation (CPI) are collaborating on a project which will focus on the development of an industrial manufacturing platform for adeno-associated virus production to support gene therapy and regenerative medicine. [CPI] Press Release

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Science Is a Major Plank in China’s New Spending Plan
China will invest heavily in S&T over the next 5 years and cut red tape hampering science spending with the hope that innovation will help the country weather its economic slowdown. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Chromatin Biology (UT Southwestern Medical Center)

Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Neural Differentiation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Pluripotent Stem Cells, Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Neural Repair (University of Nebraksa Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology and Leukemogenesis (Fundação Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto)

Postdoctoral Positions – Immunology, Cancer, and Stem Cells (University of Connecticut)

PhD Position – Developmental Epigenetics (Institute of Molecular Biology)

Postdoctoral Positions – Human Stem Cells (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Position – Genetics and Genomics of Stem Cells (Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Biology (University of Texas)

Postdoctoral Candidate – Embryonic Stem Cells and Chromatin Biology (University of Michigan)

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